City of Menifee

Measure J - Majority Approval Required

Two “four year” terms for Menifee City Council Members and the Mayor, hurt the City, and put the city at a disadvantage locally and regionally. Experience shows that two four year terms is not enough time to ripen ones skills and expand the knowledge needed to make the most informed decisions for the City, and its residents.

Surrounding cities, without term limits, have a decided advantage when seeking executive board positions for regional agencies, meaning Menifee will have little influence in regional planning.

Local term limits remove those council members that may be the most talented, most respected hardworking and effective leaders that truly make a difference in our community.

Some elected leaders are too important to lose, deserving the opportunity to serve until the voters decide otherwise. Since Incorporation Menifee voters have voted four leaders out of office, meaning Menifee Voters are engaged and informed and know who their elected leaders are.

Elections are the means to make needed changes on the council. End Term Limits and trust the voters, it’s worked so far.

Please vote Yes measure J.
Thank you for your support

By:          

Gregory A. August, Council Member
Lesa A. Sobek, Council Member

In November 2010, you, the voters of Menifee, approved Measure Z overwhelmingly with more than 81 percent of the vote, thereby imposing term limits on all of those who would serve our city as council members. You wisely demonstrated an understanding of the consequences of having our elected officials remain in office for long periods of time, whereby they could become influenced by the pressures of special interests, tempted by money and power, while at the same time becoming removed and distant from the very people they serve––you.

Term limits are important for responsible government, yet our Menifee City Council is today telling us that such limits are unnecessary for themselves and that the measure you, the voters, approved should be repealed. I ask you, who would be best served by such an action, incumbent council members or the public? What might the motivation be to demand unlimited terms for council members? Would the removal of term limits really be in the best interest of our citizens and our communities?

The arguments favoring term limits are the same today as they were in 2010. Limiting the tenure of our council members and our mayor is healthy for our city and necessary for responsible representation. It falls to us, the voters, to ensure that this valuable tool is not lost, but remains in place as a check against self-serving politicians.

Our Menifee City Council, without any voter initiative, has placed Measure J on the ballot in an effort to overturn Measure Z and repeal the term limit statute. I ask all Menifee voters to join me in defeating this repeal effort by voting NO on Measure J. Just the fact that this referendum originated with the council, and not the people, speaks volumes.

By:           Ken Laymon, Retired Chemist

• The only skills that “ripen” after eight years in public office are seemingly those of corruption and self-interest. Former councilman and mayor Wally Edgerton once said that eight years was sufficient time for a council member to accomplish his or her goals for the city. Do we want career politicians making city decisions?
  
• Regional agencies should welcome fresh ideas from newer representatives. Murrieta and Wildomar have been working toward term limits.

• Yes, term limits do force incumbents to leave office eventually, but sometimes those removed are political snollygosters, incumbents with name recognition and clout who can get re-elected with little accomplishment for the people. Talented, effective leaders, on the other hand, can serve the city in other capacities until eligible to run again for city council.

• The “too important to lose” argument was debunked in 1796 when George Washington refused a third term as President of the United States, thereby establishing a precedent for limited terms.

• Term limits do not prevent voters from removing bad council members at the end of a first term, or sooner, but they do assure us that such people cannot remain in office so long as to be difficult to remove after many years.

• City council proponents of Measure J argue that voters are engaged, informed and should be trusted. Yet the city council refuses to accept the voters’ 2010 decision on this very issue. Moreover, they recently appointed a new mayor, rather than allowing the voters to elect one.

Vote NO on Measure J.

By:           Ken Laymon, Retired Chemist

The premise of the argument is that elected leaders should be Termed-Out because they possibly could be influenced by special-interests; perhaps even, bribed monetarily to act contrary to the public good, is presumptuous, unfair, and counterproductive. The City deserves leaders that possess and demonstrate the highest qualities of experience, character, likability, and proven commitment. Any measure, imposing term limits that will inhibit the highest hopes, expectations, and the best chance for success, is a liability.

Repealing term limits is in the best interest of both the citizens and businesses of Menifee. For our City to maintain its safety, health, prosperity, and competitive edge; it must maintain an educated, seasoned, and fully experienced City Council.

On Election Day, November 6, 2018 the average experience value for each of our 5 council members in the City of Menifee will be 2.5 years, this is not a comforting thought.

In 2020 the Cities estimated population will be 100,000. Should the voters approve Measure J the City will create 5 Districts, thus providing better representation in each District.

Poor health, personal choice, and elections can each, or all, have an extreme and debilitating effect on our City. In any scenario the City must maintain a body of experience, capable of strong leadership, deep-experience, and bold-effectiveness.

Term limits can threaten our overall performance; key decision making; and a loss of important respectability from surrounding cities and the County.

It’s Important to Repeal Term-Limits; to give our City an opportunity to reach its full potential.

By:          

Greg August
Lesa Sobek